Tiltable metering dispenser



1964 E. a. CALDWELL 3,152,735

TILTABLE METERING DISPENSER Filed Dec. 9, 1963 IIIIIIIIIIIIIII'IIIII//aa invent-0r" mm-a Ca/dwel/ 17y Z.

fl/s At'b'or'ney United States Patent O 3,152,735 TILTABLE METERINGDISPENSER Emmor B. Caldwell, Clifton Park Road, Rexford, N.Y. Filed Dec.9, 1963, Ser. No. 329,086 7 Claims. (Cl. 222455) This invention relatesto a container structure for holding a supply of clean liquid and forfurnishing a small portion thereof at a time to an open pan for use,while at the same time disposing of a similar liquid portion which hasbeen previously used. More particularly, the invention relates to acontainer for holding cleansing or disinfecting liquid which, with asingle operative movement, disposes of contaminated or dirty liquid andfurnishes a supply of clean liquid.

One of the problems associated with the use of a cleansing ordisinfecting liquid is that the entire supply may rather quickly becomecontaminated by the applicator used to apply the liquid when theapplicator is dipped into the liquid container to obtain a new supply.

For example, if disinfecting fluid is to be applied with a sponge,immersion of the sponge to obtain more fluid contaminates the wholesupply. This can be overcome to some extent by using several containersor by pouring a small amount of liquid into an auxiliary pan from alarger pan and repeatedly emptying the auxiliary pan. This is very timeconsuming and if the supply of liquid must be transported from place toplace while working, the use of more than one container may not bepractical.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide animproved container structure for furnishing convenient small amounts ofliquid from a larger supply and at the same time disposing of used ordirty liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container, which with asingle motion, empties contaminated liquid from a conveniently placedwork pan and furnishes the work pan with a fresh supply of liquid from alarger source of liquid carried within the same container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the container in one form,

FIG. 2 is an elevation drawing, in section, of the container of FIG. 1,taken along line II-II.

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing, partly broken away, of the top for thecontainer of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a partial view, in section, of the container of FIG. 1,illustrating the operation thereof, and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are a plan view and a sectional elevation view,respectively, of a modification of the invention.

Briefly stated, the invention is practiced by providing a container witha top member in which is formed an open work pan. The top member has anenlarged hollow lip with a dam associated therewith for trapping aportion of the clean liquid from the container inside the lip as thedirty liquid is poured over the outside of the lip from the work pan.Conduit means are provided for conducting the trapped liquid to the workpan as the container is righted.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, my improved containerstructure is seen to have a reservoir or bottom portion 1 containing asupply of clean uncontaminated liquid 2, such as disinfectant. Fittingtightly within the top edge of the reservoir 1 is a top member showngenerally as 3. The top 3 has a turned down circumferential rim 4, anenlarged convexly curving hollow lip 5, and a depressed concave portionin the center thereof defining a work pan 6. The top 3 may be formed ina single piece from metal or plastic by any of several well knowntechniques such as drawing,

Patented Oct. 13, 1964 casting, or molding. It can also be fabricated bymaking it in sections and joining them together.

The work pan 6 includes a circumferential side wall 7 which is radiallyspaced from the side wall of the bottom member 1 to define a passage 8leading to an interior chamber 9 of the hollow lip 5. Work pan 6 has abottom 10 located sufliciently lower than chamber 9 so that a convenientsupply of liquid 11 can be held in the work pan 6 below the level of thelip.

Secured inside the lip 5 is an arcuate channel-shaped member 12. Thismember extends circumferentially in either direction from its highestpoint 12a at the front of the container, and is pitched downward towardits terminating ends 12b, 120. Each of the terminating ends are attachedin a suitable leaktight manner to the wall 7 of the work pan. Openings13, 14 formed in the wall 7 allow liquid to drain from the channelmember 12 into the work pan 6. It is important to note that the openings13, 14 are high enough above the bottom 10 of the work pan so that thelevel of liquid portion 11 will not be higher than the bottom of theopenings when the desired amount of liquid is in the work pan. Theopenings 13, 14 are also placed slightly to the rearward of the work pan6 for reasons later to be explained.

At the highest point 12a of the channel-shaped member 12, the innerflange 15 of the channel forms a dam which partitions off a pocket 15ain chamber 9 inside the lip. Thus flange 15 will trap liquid in pocket15a when the container is tipped. When the container is righted again,it flows in both directions through the downward sloping channel member12 toward the openings 13, 14. It remains to note that the reservoirmember is provided with a handle 16.

The operation of the container structure depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 isbetter understood by reference to FIG. 4 of the drawing. Assuming asmall amount of clean liquid is in the work pan 6, this liquid isutilized for whatever purpose desired, whereupon it becomes dirty orcontaminated. The bucket is grasped by the rear handle 16 and tiltedforward to the position shown in FIG. 4. The dirty liquid 11 flows outover the top of the hollow lip 5 into a waste receptacle or onto theground. At the same time clean liquid flows into the opening 8 betweenthe work pan 6 and the sides of container 1, and from there over the topof flange 15 into pocket 15a inside the channel. Thereafter thecontainer is righted, and the fresh supply of clean liquid in chamber 9runs around through both sides of the channel 12, out of the openings13, 14 and into the work pan 6. This new supply of clean liquid can thenbe utilized until it is dirty, and the cycle is repeated again.

As was mentioned previously, the openings 13 and 14 are located to therear of the work pan and higher than the bottom of the work pan. Thiswill prevent dirty liquid from flowing backward through channel 12 whenthe container is tilted forward.

Another form of the invention, which employs only two pieces instead ofthree, is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. Here there isshown a bottom reservoir or container member 17, and a top member 18.The bottom member 17 has a round main side wall 19. At the topperipheral edge of wall 19, and preferably formed integrally therewithis a circumferentially extending wall 20 which extends around the frontand sides of the bottom member 17 to join the side wall 19, as indicatedat 21. Wall 20 and the main wall 19 together make up a channel 22.Notches 23 are provided in the main wall 19 slightly to the rearward ofthe container to allow liquid to run out of channel 22. Also, in orderto provide a convenient means for attaching the top member 18, the edgeof the circumferentially extending wall 20 is enlarged as indicated at24.

The top member 1% is so formed as to provide a convex pouring lipportion 25 and a concave work pan 26. The lower circumferentiallyextending edge of the top member is split as shown at 27 so that it willfit over the enlarged circumferentially extending edge 24 of the bottommember and maintain a leak-tight seal. If the container is made ofplastic, the engagement along the edges 24, 27 can be made merely bymeans of the resiliency of the material. If the container is made ofmetal, it may be preferable to permanently attach the top and bottommembers along this joint by means such as brazing. It is immaterial tothe operation of the container Whether the top member 18 is permanentlyattached to the bottom member 17 or whether it is made so as to beremovable, so long as a leak-tight joint is provided along the edges 24,27.

As in the previously described embodiment of the invention, the frontwall of the work pan 26 is spaced from the main wall 19 by a passage 28which leads into the channel 22 over the top edge 19a of the main wall19. The edge 19a acts as a dam to trap liquid in the channel 22 when thecontainer is righted again, and in this sense is equivalent to theflange 15 of the separate channel 12 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Near the vicinity of the notches 23, the walls of the Work pan are notspaced from the main wall 19, but tightly engage the main walls. If topmember 18 is designed to be removable, this can merely be a frictionfit. An opening 29, matching the location of the notches 23 is providedto let the liquid flow from channel 22 into the work pan, these openingsbeing disposed above the floor of the work pan and to the rear, asbefore, to prevent liquid from flowing backward through channel 22.

It remains to note that the back wall 30 of the work pan is spaced fromthe main wall of the container in order to allow filling withoutremoving the top. Also a handle 31 for tipping the container to operateit is conveniently provided by extending the Wall 39 upward and curlingit over.

The operation of the container shown in FIGS. and 6 is exactly the sameas described previously. Briefly, when tipped forward, the dirty liquidin work pan 26 flows over the lip 25 and out. At the same time, liquidin the bottom member 17 flows through space 28 and over edge 19a. Whenrighted, edge 19a traps a portion of the clean liquid, which flowscircumferentially in both directions in channel 22, to emerge throughopenings 29 and into the work pan.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, once the principle ofthe invention is understood, that the size of the space provided insidethe hollow lip of my improved container structure, as well as the sizeof the pocket trapping liquid when the container is righted determinethe amount of liquid flowing into the work pan. Therefore these spacesmust be selected with consideration for the volume of liquid desired inthe work pan, taking account that this volume is limited by the heightof the discharge openings above the floor of the work pan. The amount ofslope required from the pocket trapping the liquid in the front of thecontainer to the discharge openings is not very great and is exaggeratedin FIG. 2 in order to illustrate the principle of operation.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that manyvariations in shape and design are possible without departing from theinventive concept. For example the duct leading from the trapping pocketto the open work pan could vary substantially in design. The duct neednot run circumferentially, but could also run down beneath the work pan,and then up again just so long as the level of the discharge opening isbelow the level of the trapping pocket. The circumferentially flowingarrangement shown is merely believed to be the most convenient way offorming these ducts.

While there have been shown two embodiments of the invention, it isdesired to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A container comprising a reservoir member arranged to hold a supplyof liquid, a top member sealingly engaged with the reservoir memberaround a front portion thereof, said top member defining an open workpan disposed above the liquid in the reservoir and also defining ahollow pouring lip having its interior open to the liquid in thereservoir, means defining a pocket inside said lip arranged to trap aportion of the liquid flowing into the lip when the container is tippedand then righted, and conduit means connecting said pocket toa dischargeopening in the work pan to the rearward part of the container above thebottom of said work pan for conducting said trapped liquid portion tothe work pan when the container is in an upright position.

2. A container comprising a reservoir member arranged to hold a supplyof liquid, a top member having a front convex portion sealingly engagedwith a front portion of the reservoir member to define a hollow pouringlip arranged to receive liquid on its inside when the container istipped forward, said top member also having a concave portion definingan open work pan disposed above the liquid in the reservoir, said Workpan having a wall portion toward the rear of the container with adischarge opening therethrough above the bottom of the work pan, meansdefining a pocket inside said lip for trapping a portion of the liquidin the lip when the container is tipped and then righted, said pocketbeing at a higher level than said discharge opening, and conduit meansconnecting the pocket with the discharge opening for conducting thetrapped liquid portion from the hollow lip to the work pan.

3. A container comprising a reservoir member with a bottom and sidewallsfor holding a supply of liquid, a top member defining an open work pandisposed within said reservoir sidewalls above the supply of liquid,said work pan also having a bottom and sidewalls for holding a smallquantity of liquid, the front sidewall of the work pan being spaced fromthe front sidewall of the reservoir member, said work pan also having arearward sidewall defining an opening therethrough above the bottom ofthe work pan, said top member also having a front convex portiondefining a hollow pouring lip sealingly engaging the front sidewall ofthe reservoir member, means defining a channel extending from theinterior of the lip at the front of the container around the work pan tosaid opening in the work pan sidewall, whereby forward tipping of thecontainer will cause any liquid in the work pan to flow out over thepouring lip while liquid in the reservoir member flows into the channelfor replenishing the work pan supply when the container is righted.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said channel definingmeans comprises a bifurcated wall portion extending around the top edgeof said reservoir member on the front and sides thereof, the inner walldefining an opening therethrough aligned with said Work pan opening.

5. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said channel definingmeans includes a substantially U-shaped arcuate member disposed withinsaid hollow lip and extending around the work pan to connect with saidwork pan opening.

6. A container comprising a reservoir member having a bottom andsidewalls for holding a supply of liquid therein, a top member definingan open work pan with bottom and sidewalls disposed within the top partof said reservoir member above the liquid, said top member also defininga hollow lip curving forward from the work pan and sealingly engagingthe sidewalls of the reservoir member, a channel member disposed withinsaid hollow lip and extending circumferentially in either direction froma high point inside the lip at the front of the container to dischargeopenings defined by the sidewalls toward the rear of the work pan, saidchannel being oriented to trap a portion of the liquid filling the lipwhen the container is tipped and to conduct said trapped liquid portionto the work pan when the container is righted.

7. A container comprising a reservoir member having a bottom andsidewalls for holding a supply of liquid,

said sidewall being bifurcated to provide inner and outer Wall portionsat the top edge thereof around the front and side of the reservoirmember forming a channel between them, a top member defining an openwork pan with bottom and sidewalls disposed within the ,top part of saidreservoir member above the liquid, said top member also having a frontconvex portion defining a hollow lip with a front edge which sealinglyengages the outer wall portion of the reservoir, said inner wall portionand said Work pan sidewall being engaged and having aligned 5 openingstherethrough at a point to the rearward of the container and above thebottom of the work pan, whereby liquid trapped between the inner andouter wall portions when the container is tipped will flow to the workpan when the container is lighted.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,699,886 James Jan. 18, 1955 2,834,519 Miller May 13, 1958 2,977,028Joife Mar. 28, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 574,154 France Mar. 24, 19241,070,404 France July 26, 1954 222,994 Germany Q. June 13, 1910

1. A CONTAINER COMPRISING A RESERVOIR MEMBER ARRANGED TO HOLD A SUPPLYOF LIQUID, A TOP MEMBER SEALINGLY ENGAGED WITH THE RESERVOIR MEMBERAROUND A FRONT PORTION THEREOF, SAID TOP MEMBER DEFINING AN OPEN WORKPAN DISPOSED ABOVE THE LIQUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND ALSO DEFINING AHOLLOW POURING LIP HAVING ITS INTERIOR OPEN TO THE LIQUID IN THERESERVOIR, MEANS DEFINING A POCKET INSIDE SAID LIP ARRANGED TO TRAP APORTION OF THE LIQUID FLOWING INTO THE LIP WHEN THE CONTAINER IS TIPPEDAND THEN RIGHTED, AND CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTING SAID POCKET TO ADISCHARGE OPENING IN THE WORK PAN TO THE REARWARD PART OF THE CONTAINERABOVE THE BOTTOM OF SAID WORK PAN FOR CONDUCTING SAID TRAPPED LIQUIDPORTION TO THE WORK PAN WHEN THE CONTAINER IS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION.